Anaphylaxis in Pneumococcus Immunity

That bacterial derivatives possess anaphylactogenic properties was demonstrated by the pioneers in the study of anaphylaxis. But from the numerous subsequent studies in bacterial hypersensitiveness the fact has emerged that these antigens are not highly endowed with anaphylactogenic properties. Compared to such substances as egg albumin and animal serums bacterial derivatives yield positive results less easily and less constantly. Nevertheless active and passive anaphylaxis and the phenomena of desensitization have been accomplished repeatedly either with intact bacterial cells or with extracts of many microorganisms. It has also been found that during the course of certain experimental infections, particularly guinea pig tuberculosis, anaphylaxis to the bacterial protein may sometimes be demonstrable (Baldwin (1), Krause (2), Zinsser (3), and Smith (4)). Hence anaphylaxis may be artificially produced with bacterial derivatives in the absence of infection, or it may occur as one of the phenomena of an infection. In contrast with the general agreement concerning the fact of bacterial anaphylaxis are the widely differing opinions which have been expressed concerning its significance: